I have recently finished my swat tour for three days(5 to 7 April 2015) starting from Lahore. My program followed as given below:
5TH APRIL(DAY-01):
Departure from Lahore to Mingora at 10/00 pm by Bilawal Daewoo bus service at Lari adda.
07:00 am Breakfast at Mingora.
08:00 am Journey for Malam Jabba.
05:00 pm Fiza Ghat visit.
07:00 pm Dinner and stay at hotel.
1. If you have to cut your expenses on journey, then, leave for mingora by bilal or niazi bus express.Their bus bodies are made of daewoo and same route as of Daewoo bus service by motor way.Their services are also the same by having guards and ladies to offer you cold drinks and refreshments en route. Time factor to reach on the destination is also the same.The fare for one person is Rs.850/- or Rs.900/-. It will reduce your cost 50% if gone through Daewoo bus service.
2. Keep original CNIC as there are many military check posts in swat everywhere.They especially check thoroughly outsiders even family CNICs are checked and verified through the Nadra system installed with them.
3. Hotel fares for two beds is now Rs.500/- and for one person is Rs.200/-. However, it is Rs.3000/- at white palace. Take hotels near bus stands from where you will find ease to move everywhere.Take hotel at mingora bus stand. Also, you have only to take rest at night time only.
4. There is a separate bus stand for Malam Jabba and its fare is Rs.100/- per person. For Kalam and Murghazar places, there are separate bus stands.
5. Move in rickshaw within mingora/saidu sharif(twin cities connected) in Rs.50/- or max.Rs.60/- from one point to other.
6. Mingora to Malam Jabba journey is of 2 1/2 hrs. Return from MJ by asir prayers and on way back visit fiza ghat, that is en route while going to hotel at mingora bus stand.Ticket for fiza ghat is Rs.20/-.
7. Hotel timings for check out is 12 pm throughout swat so keeo it in mind.
6TH APRIL(DAY:02):
08:00 am Breakfast.
09:00 am Leave for white palace Murghazar.
12:00 am Swat mueseum visit.
12:30 pm Leave for Kalam. Sight seeing for Madyan & Bahrain en route.
02:30 pm Lunch at bahrain and see two rivers(kalam and bahrain) meet.
05:00 pm Kalam reaching and stay at hotel.
1.There is a separate bus stand for murghazar and fare is Rs. 20/- per person. It will take 40 minutes. Ticket at white palace is Rs.50/- per person, by return they give you one free cold drink of your choice.
2. Do not trust strangers while in public transport. They see you as tourists and try to fleece. Always ask prices first then eat or deal.
3. kalam fare is Rs.210/- per person.
4. Fare at kalam hotels is Rs. 500/- for two beds.It jumps for Rs 1000 to 1500/- in june or july.
7TH APRIL(DAY:03):
08:00 to 10/30 am Tour of ushu valley,matilitan village&glacier or mahodand lake.
11:00 am Return for mingora via bahrain to Miandam sightseeing en route.
05:00 pm Leave for Lahore from mingora,
02:00 am Lahore.
1. Rs.1000/- is for tour where only jeeps go. Start bargain from Rs. 700 to 800/- and do not pay much.
2. I was with my wife and kid and bore Rs. 9000/- in total.
Post notes:
1.Road to bahrain is very good and you will reach there in 1 1/2 hrs. Road after bahrain to kalam is kacha, zigzag and dangerous and takes 2 to 2 1/2 hrs.
2. There are no extra scenic attractions at madyan, bahrain or miandam. Therefore, sight seeing through public transport is enough. The drivers stop at bahrain where you can see two rivers meeting.
3. Public transport between mingora-kalam runs upto 4 PM. AT 4pm, you will get the last van on this route either.
4. Water for drinking at mingora is not good but at kalam it is natural and best water for use and drinking.
5. Do not move in kalam after 8 pm.
6. There is also another tour route at kalam that is utrot and gabral villages.
7. Take nimko, water,biscuits, candies etc alongwith you from lahore and take them to picnic spots and save your money for purchasing there.
8. Fiza ghat is only park constructed by japan along swat river at the end of mingora city.
9. MJ road is very much zigzag on the hill.It is risky and tiresome to take own car on the road.
10. No photos are allowed in swat mueseum.
11. Three buses for swat from Lari Adda Lahore go at 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, and 10:00 pm respectively. The bus going at 10:00 pm is of daewoo body, runs from motorway and same stops and services as of Sammi daewoo bus service. Its fare is 900 rupees but for other two buses it is 850 rupees running from G.T road.
12. The same three buses return from mingora to lahore at 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, and 9:00 pm timings respectively.
THANKS AND REGARDS. FOR ANY QUERY, WELCOME!